Victor Wembanyama’s trading card is selling for a lot — for a card that was printed in a sports magazine for kids.
Victor Wembanyama is almost unanimously predicted to be the number-one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
At only 19 years old, the French player’s skills (and size) have already caught the attention of every team in the league. In fact, several NBA teams have tanked their season for a shot at getting the first draft pick for Wembanyama — he undoubtedly holds the most value as a prospect as of now.
And, he holds value in the world of trading cards as well.
Because of the major hype surrounding Wembanyama, many die-hard basketball fans are waiting in anticipation for his league breakout, speculating that his value is only going to skyrocket from now.
This is why his trading card — the only one currently available right now — is increasing in price.
How much is Victor Wembanyama’s trading card worth?
In their January/February 2023 issue, Sports Illustrated For Kids included a perforated sheet of “trading cards” including one of Victor Wembanyana for his current team, Metropolitans 92.
His card was in the top-middle spot among nine others.
Although Sports Illustrated For Kids is not technically a licensed manufacturer of trading cards in the same way that well-known manufacturers such as Panini and Topps are, sports fans have historically placed high values on the perforated trading card sheets that the kids’ magazine produces.
For instance, a Tiger Woods SI For Kids trading card sold on eBay for $55,000 in 2021.
As he is not yet a player in the NBA, SI For Kids became the first to make a trading card for the up-and-coming athlete, and as of writing, they are still the only ones.
When the issue with Victor Wembanyama’s trading card first came out, copies were being sold on eBay for around $30, compared to the issue’s retail price of $5.99. But, for the trading card alone, its value on eBay ranged from around $20 to $70.
As of writing, eBay prices now range from $100 to $599.
The 19-year-old is not yet in the NBA. With the Draft still to come on June 22, will prices continue to rise?
Banner image from Buttcrack Sports and Ricanking on Twitter.
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